Forterra has selected Aeva Technologies to supply 4D LiDAR sensors for its AutoDrive autonomous vehicle platform, expanding the use of advanced perception technology in military ground systems operating in contested and GPS-denied environments.
Under the agreement, Aeva’s 4D LiDAR will be integrated into Forterra’s AutoDrive perception suite, which is designed to support autonomous operation of ground vehicles across missions such as tactical logistics, convoy operations, combat support and forward reconnaissance. The companies said the technology is intended to improve situational awareness while reducing exposure of personnel in hazardous environments.
Aeva’s sensors provide simultaneous position and velocity detection at ranges of hundreds of metres, enabling moving-object tracking and long-distance obstacle detection. The company said the system maintains performance in adverse weather, dust and unstructured terrain—conditions commonly encountered in military operations.
“Reliable, long-range and velocity-aware perception is key to safe and effective autonomous operations,” said Josh Araujo, adding that the integration would strengthen AutoDrive’s capability to operate where traditional navigation aids such as GPS are unavailable or degraded.
For Aeva, the contract marks its first win in the defence sector. Chief Executive Soroush Salehian said the selection validated the company’s 4D LiDAR platform for demanding autonomous applications, particularly in environments requiring extended range, velocity sensing and resilience under harsh conditions.
The deal highlights growing defence interest in autonomy technologies that combine advanced sensing with full-stack vehicle control, as militaries seek to deploy unmanned and optionally crewed ground systems for logistics and reconnaissance roles.